Chapter 182
Baek Mu-Gun and Beigong Xue secured the Beihai Divine Ice Sword and descended the stairs. After a considerable descent, they encountered a grand ice door, with a small hole in the floor before it. Without hesitation, Beigong Xue slotted the Beihai Divine Ice Sword into the opening.
A resonant click echoed, causing the immense ice door to glide open. Beyond it revealed a vast ice chamber.
Lets go in.
Mu-Gun and Beigong Xue entered the ice chamber. The ice chamber seemed to be dozens of pyeong[1] wide, and ice coffins were erected on the ice walls on all sides. The number of ice coffins totaled exactly twelve coffins.
It seems like all the former patriarchs of the Beihai Ice Palace are in those ice coffins.
Yes, that is correct.
But how do we awaken them? Mu-Gun inquired.
They can be awakened through the Beihai Ice Soul Spell, Beigong Xue revealed.
Given your lower martial realm compared to the former patriarchs, can you control them?
Yes, dont worry. The Beihai Glacier Zombies recognize the possessor of the Beihai Divine Ice Sword as their master, regardless of martial realm.
I'm relieved. What's our next step?
First, we need to open the ice coffin lids, Beigong Xue said.
Will they wake up suddenly?
No, they wont wake until I use the Beihai Ice Soul Spell.
Mu-Gun nodded and, with his Supreme Realm strength, opened the frozen lids of the orderly arranged ice coffins. The first revealed an elderly man, unmistakably lifeless but emanating a potent energy of the Absolute Realm, the highest rank.
Thank you, Beigong Xue expressed gratitude as Mu-Gun opened the other lids.
Stepping back, Mu-Gun allowed Beigong Xue space for her spell. Holding the Beihai Divine Ice Sword, she stood at the chamber's center, closed her eyes, and began the incantation. The sword responded with a resonant voice and a growing blue lightan effect of the Myriad Ice Essence within the sword reacting to the Beihai Ice Soul Spell.
As Beigong Xue continued the incantation, the blue light intensified. Finally, after completing the spell, she stabbed the sword into the chamber floor. The blue light divided into twelve strands, spreading towards the locations of the twelve ice coffins.
The blue light spread across the floor, enveloping the ice coffins and then penetrating the twelve lifeless bodies within. The corpses trembled as they absorbed the cold qi emitted by the Beihai Divine Ice Sword, causing the ice coffins to shudder. The Beihai Divine Ice Sword continued to release its blue-colored cold qi, and the twelve corpses absorbed it eagerly, eventually opening their eyes.
A potent wave of cold qi surged from the awakened bodies, shattering their ice coffins. Rising to their feet, they turned towards Beigong Xue, who still held the glowing sword. As their gazes locked, a connection formed between Beigong Xue's mind and the twelve Beihai Glacier Zombies.
Now, the Beihai Glacier Zombies recognized Beigong Xue as their master, and she could command them through this mental link. Yet, there was morethe twelve zombies initiated the Ice Soul Awakening Spell. This advanced spell utilized Beihai Glacier Qi to unclog the Life and Death Gateway and facilitate metamorphosis.
Seated in a lotus position with the Beihai Glacier Zombies surrounding her, Beigong Xue absorbed their emitted Beihai Glacier Qi. The Qi circulated within her body, following the teachings of the Beihai Glacier Cultivation Methods scriptures.
Observing from the chamber entrance, Mu-Gun initially worried about Beigong Xue's safety. However, reassured by her signal, he watched with keen interest as the Beihai Glacier Zombies worked to elevate her martial realm forcibly.
The spell unfolded for over an hour, and Beigong Xue's body, seated in meditation, gradually lifted from the floor. A surge of blue energy emanated from her head crown, forming a protective film around her. The cold qi froze her clothes, which shattered like powder, revealing Beigong Xue's naked body. Mu-Gun, momentarily captivated, quickly averted his gaze.
Behind him, he could hear the sounds of bones twisting and interlocking. Beigong Xue was undergoing metamorphosis. Her musculature reformed, and her skin cracked, shedding like a snake. New flesh emerged, leaving her skin looking as pristine and soft as that of a newborn baby.
Despite her outward appearance, Beigong Xue's skin harbored the resilient Beihai Glacier Qi, rendering her impervious to ordinary swords. With the assistance of the Beihai Glacier Zombies, her Life and Death Gateway was forcefully opened, allowing her to achieve metamorphosis. Entering a trance, Beigong Xue circulated her qi, a process likely to keep her unconscious until she fully assimilated the Beihai Glacier Qi filling her body. The twelve Beihai Glacier Zombies formed a protective circle around her, ensuring an impenetrable defense.
Mu-Gun anticipated at least three days for Beigong Xue to completely store her newly obtained energy. Consequently, he waited outside the ice chamber, mindful of Beigong Xue's nudity and finding solace in the beef jerky he had brought along. On the fourth day, Beigong Xue concluded her qi circulation, attaining the Absolute Realm. Moved by her accomplishment, she sought out Mu-Gun, the first person she wanted to share her joy with.
Not finding Mu-Gun inside the ice chamber, Beigong Xue hurriedly emerged, only to discover Mu-Gun on the stairs, munching on beef jerky. He ceased his movements when he noticed her. Beigong Xue, in her exuberance, forgot about her nudity.
Young Patriarch! I've reached the Absolute Realm, I am an Absolute Realm master! Beigong Xue exclaimed with unprecedented excitement. Mu-Gun averted his gaze, coughing at the sight of her uninhibited celebration.
Ehem, Young Matriarch! I think it would be better if you get dressed first, Mu-Gun suggested, prompting Beigong Xue to realize the peculiarity and inspect her own body.
Kyaaaaa!
Upon realizing her state of undress, Beigong Xue rushed back into the ice chamber, overcome with embarrassment. After some time, she reappeared wearing the clothes of one of the Beihai Glacier Zombies, although the fit was far from perfect.
Plea-, please forget everything you saw a while ago.
What are you talking about? Mu-Gun responded as if unaware.
I mean about seeing my naked body. Please erase it from your memory, Young Patriarch.
Dont worry, I have already forgotten about it. I dont even recall something like that happening, Mu-Gun reassured Beigong Xue, attempting to ease her embarrassment.
Beigong Xue, puzzled by Mu-Guns casual response, laughed.
That aside, congratulations on reaching the Absolute Realm, Mu-Gun congratulated.
Thank you. This is all thanks to you.
Instead of me, I think you should thank the former patriarchs of the Beihai Ice Palace who are standing behind you.
I am grateful to the former patriarchs of the Beihai Ice Palace, but I am also grateful to you. If it werent for you, I would not have been able to come all the way here.
Mu-Gun shrugged in response, Then, lets go down now. The guards waiting below must be very worried because four days have passed due to you circulating your qi.
Four days have passed?
Yes. To be honest, I was bored to death waiting alone.
Ah! I am sorry. I didnt even know that.
I am kidding, it is a joke. The guards must be more worried than me, so lets quickly go down, Mu-Gun joked.
Lets quickly go.
Mu-Gun and Beigong Xue ascended Ie Sword Peak through the stairs, with the twelve Beihai Glacier Zombies following. At the peak, Beigong Xue inquired about the descent.
But how do we get down?
There is a way for me and you to go down, but the Beihai Ice Palaces former patriarchs are going to be a problem.
Then, shall we have the Beihai Glacier Zombies go down first?
That would be great.
Beigong Xue nodded and instructed the Beihai Glacier Zombies to descend. Without hesitation, they slid down the steep slope, controlling their speed with the frictional force generated by kicking their feet against the ice wall, thanks to their Vajra Physique.
Wow! I was worried for no reason, Mu-Gun admired the scene.
But how do we get down?
We will go down riding this.
Mu-Gun raised the Flying Golden Shield, showing it to Beigong Xue.
We're going down on a shield?
I will take you safely to the bottom of the Ice Sword Peak, so get on my back for now, Mu-Gun reassured, gesturing to his back.
With no other option, Beigong Xue climbed onto Mu-Guns back. Placing the Flying Golden Shield at the peak's boundary, Mu-Gun, with Beigong Xue on his back, descended the slope. The Flying Golden Shield, infused with the force from the Flying Golden Shield Scripture, zigzagged down the Ice Sword Peak. Mu-Gun expertly controlled the speed by creating friction with the ice walls whenever they changed directiona technique similar to that employed by the Beihai Glacier Zombies.
On Mu-Guns back, Beigong Xue felt exhilarated as they slid down. She contemplated the idea of trying this descent whenever she needed a refreshing break. Little did she know that this experience would later inspire the creation of the Ice Skateboard, eventually becoming one of the most enjoyable pastimes in Beihai.
1. Pyeong is the Korean unit of area and floorspace, equal to a square kan or 36 square feet.
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